Raspberry plant named ‘IMAGINE’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct everbearing variety of raspberry plant named ‘IMAGINE’. The new variety is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California and is characterized by the following: early mid-season primocane production with medium to large sized fruit of medium to dark-red coloration. Fruit is of consistent blunt conic shape, releases with some difficulty from receptacle, possessing large drupelets and is of good flavor. Foliage is strongly concave, medium green; possessing medium rugosity and mostly 3 foliate. Primocanes have a strong waxy coat, purple spines, fairly high thorn density and have weak to medium anthocyanin coloration.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Rubus idaeus.

Variety denomination: ‘IMAGINE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct fall bearing raspberry variety designated as ‘IMAGINE’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2008 in Watsonville, Calif. between raspberry variety ‘04.3942’ (unpatented) as the female parent and raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,459) as the male parent in an ongoing breeding program. The variety is botanically known as Rubus idaeus.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexually propagated by dormant canes in Santa Cruz County, Calif. and was subsequently selected by the inventor from a controlled breeding plot in Watsonville, Calif. in 2010. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by dormant canes, roots and non-dormant root shoot cuttings in Santa Cruz County, Calif., San Joaquin County, Calif. and Siskiyou County, Calif. The new variety was then extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Santa Cruz County, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘IMAGINE’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary year-round temperatures required for it to produce and maintain a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from July through December on primocanes and in the ensuing year from May through July on floricanes. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘IMAGINE’, which in combination distinguish this raspberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Dark purple spines     -   2. High fruit yield     -   3. Medium to dark red fruit color     -   4. Strong primocane glaucosity     -   5. Good flavor

The raspberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new raspberry variety ‘IMAGINE’ is the raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,459). In comparison to the similar raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’, ‘IMAGINE’ differs by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘IMAGINE’ Pat. No. 20,459) Primocane waxy coat Strong Absent to very (glaucosity) weak Predominate number of Mostly 3 Always 3 leaflets Leaf shape (cross Strongly concave Flat to slightly section) convex Thorn density per cm at 8.53 3.38 central ⅓ Dense Medium Thorn coloration (tip) RHS N186B RHS 180C Greyed-purple Greyed-red group group Thorn coloration (base) RHS N186C RHS 145B Greyed-purple Yellow-green group group Color mature fruit RHS 46A RHS 42A Medium to dark Medium red red

‘IMAGINE’ differs from its parents, ‘GRANDEUR’ and ‘04.3942’, by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘IMAGINE’ Pat. No. 15,439) ‘04.3942’ Productivity High High Medium Glossiness (fruit) Medium High Medium Firmness (fruit) Medium to High Low high Adherence of receptacle Weak to Weak Medium medium Primocane time of fruiting Medium Medium Medium Fruit size Medium to Medium Large large Flavor Good Good Excellent

For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new raspberry variety ‘IMAGINE’ at various stages of development as true as reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘IMAGINE’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new raspberry variety ‘IMAGINE’ were taken in Watsonville, Calif. and are approximately 2 to 16 months old:

FIG. 1 shows typical primocane foliage and fruit color; foliate and rugosity characteristics of ‘IMAGINE’ taken in the month of May 2015;

FIG. 2 shows typical gloss, coloration, and drupelet formation of floricane fruit of ‘IMAGINE’ taken in the month of May 2015;

FIG. 3 shows typical harvested fruit of ‘IMAGINE’ taken in the month of July 2015;

FIG. 4 shows typical dormant cane color characteristics of ‘IMAGINE’ taken in the month of January 2013.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘IMAGINE’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type, and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new raspberry variety ‘IMAGINE’, unless otherwise noted, are based upon observations taken during the 2016-2017 growing season in Watsonville, Calif. Primocane measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘IMAGINE’ dug from a nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif. during the middle of October 2015 and planted approximately 3 to 4 weeks later in Watsonville, Calif. The approximate age of the observed primocane plants is 7 to 8 months. Floricane measurements and ratings were taken from the same planting of ‘IMAGINE’ at an approximate age of 16 to 18 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from three years of data collected from the 2013 through 2016 production seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted. Foliage characteristics and measurements are from 3-foliate foliage unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows The R.H.S. Colour Chart Fifth Edition, Royal Horticultural Society, London, United Kingdom (1966).

The following Tables 3-7 describe fruit, plant, foliage, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new raspberry ‘IMAGINE’ in comparison to the similar raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,459).

TABLE 3 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘IMAGINE’ Pat. No. 20,459) Color mature fruit RHS 46A RHS 42A Medium to dark Medium red red Color achenes RHS 159A RHS 159A Orange-white Orange-white group group Fruit length (mm) 25.52 22.91 Fruit width (mm) 23.13 20.12 Length/Width ratio 1.10 1.14 Longer than Longer than broad broad Seed weight (mg) 1.77 1.75 Drupelets per berry 105 93 Weight of single drupe 0.061 0.043 (g/drupe) Relative size of drupes Large Medium Fruit size Medium to large Medium Predominant shape Conical Conical Evenness of color Even Even Glossiness Medium Medium Adherence of receptacle Weak to medium Very weak Firmness of flesh Firm Very firm Firmness of skin Firm Very firm Soluble solids (% Brix) 10.2 10.5 Flavor Good Good

TABLE 4 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘IMAGINE’ Pat. No. 20,459) General: Habit Upright Upright Size Medium Medium Productivity High High Self-fruitfulness Yes Yes Type of bearing Everbearing Everbearing Primocane: Color (true) RHS 145B RHS 145B Yellow-given Yellow-green group group Length (cm) 162.7 143.6 Basal diameter (mm) 16.33 21.80 Diameter central 1/3 (mm) 11.39 12.55 Lateral length at central 1/3 (cm) 43.4 43.6 No. fruiting laterals per cane 12.8 17.4 Internode length at central 1/3 (mm) 36.51 48.84 Anthocyanin coloration RHS 59B RHS 59B Red-purple Red-purple group group Anthocyanin intensity Weak to Weak medium Pubescence Absent Absent Length of vegetative bud (mm) 7.29 11.01 Strength of waxy coat Strong Absent to very (glaucosity) weak Time of flowering Medium Medium Time of fruiting Medium Medium Length of fruiting season Long Long % of total yield 55% 50% Flowering period Late June to Late June to Late November Late November Harvest period Late July to Late July to Mid December Mid December Primocane fruit weight (g) 6.1 3.8 Primocane yield (g/plant) 3,721 2,662 Young Shoots: Number (per meter) 15-20 15-20 Medium Medium Anthocyanin presence Present Present Anthocyanin coloration RHS 179B RHS 179A Red-purple Greyed-red group group Anthocyanin intensity Weak Medium Thorns: Thorn coloration (tip) RHS N186B RHS 180C Greyed-purple Greyed-red group group Thorn coloration (base) RHS N186C RHS 145B Greyed-purple Yellow-green group group Thorn length at central 1/3 (mm) 0.88 0.76 Thorn base at central 1/3 (mm) 0.75 1.53 Thorn presence Present Present Thorn density per cm at central 8.53 3.38 1/3 Dense Medium Thorn texture Rigid Rigid Attitude of the tip Horizontal Horizontal Floricane: Color (true) RHS 164A RHS 164A Greyed-orange Greyed-orange group group Length (cm) 121.3 119.8 Fruiting lateral attitude Erect Erect Time bud burst Medium Medium Time of flowering Medium Medium Time of fruiting Medium Medium Length of fruiting season Medium to Medium to long long % of total yield 45% 50% Flowering period Late April to Late April to Late June Late June Harvest period Late May to Late May to Late July Late July Floricane fruit weight (g) 5.9 3.7 Floricane yield (g/plant) 2,941 2,680

TABLE 5 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant ‘IMAGINE’ Pat. No. 20,459) Characteristic (3 Foliate) (3 Foliate) General: Color of upper surface RHS 139A RHS N137A Green group Green group Color of lower surface RHS 190B RHS 190B Greyed-green Greyed-green group group Shape in cross section Strongly concave Flat to slightly convex Arrangement Compound Compound Relief between veins Medium Strong (rugosity) Glossiness Medium Weak Number of leaflets/leaf Mostly 3 Always 3 Terminal Leaflet: Length (mm) 136.2 127.5 Width (mm) 100.5 91.6 Length/width ratio 1.3 1.4 Longer than broad Longer than broad Size Medium Medium to large Shape Cordate Cordate Shape of base Cordate Cordate Shape of tip Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Lateral Leaflet: Length (mm) 114.6 105.5 Width (mm) 76.5 65.1 Length/width ratio 1.5 1.6 Longer than broad Longer than broad Rachis length (mm) 32.7 36.2 Orientation Opposite Opposite Arrangement Compound Compound Shape Ovate Ovate Overlapping Touching Touching Shape of the base Rounded Oblique rounded Shape of the tip Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Petiole: Length (mm) 48.60 59.00 Width (mm) 3.35 3.99 Thorn presence Yes Yes Thorn orientation Erect Erect Anthocyanin coloration RHS 186C RHS 184C of upper surface Greyed-purple Greyed-purple group group Anthocyanin intensity Absent to very Weak of upper surface weak Stipule length (mm) 16.61 10.23 Stipule orientation Erect Erect to horizontal

TABLE 6 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘IMAGINE’ Pat. No. 20,459) Petal color 155C 155C White group White group Flower diameter (mm) 22.70 22.55 Petal Length (mm)  7.44  6.42 Petal width (mm)  3.40  3.11 Petal length/width ratio  2.19  2.06 Much longer Much longer than broad than broad No. petals/flower 5.1 5.2 No. sepals/flower 5.1 5.2 Relative number of 19.2  16.2  pedicel thorns Medium Medium Peduncle anthocyanin Present Present presence Peduncle anthocyanin RHS 184B RHS 184A coloration Greyed-purple Greyed-purple Peduncle anthocyanin group Strong group Medium intensity

TABLE 7 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘IMAGINE’ Pat. No. 20,459) Spotted wing drosophila Susceptible Susceptible (Drosophila suzukii) Two-spotted spider mite Susceptible Susceptible (Tetranychus urticae) Grey fruit mold Susceptible Susceptible (Botrytis cinerea) Powdery mildew Moderately Moderately (Podosphaera aphanis var. resistant susceptible aphanis) Yellow rust Moderately Moderately (Phragmidium rubi-idaei) resistant susceptible 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of raspberry plant named ‘IMAGINE’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 